Makayla POV

"Should we just go big and reserve a suite?" Ho-seok asked.

"Babe, no." I responded from my kitchen sink. Ho-seok was seated at the island and browsing the web on his laptop."I'm already opposed to even getting a hotel room, there's no need for a suite. Why waste that kind of money when I have a place to stay while we're in Korea? I'm sure Danny and Min-seok won't mind you staying in their spare room with me here and there."

"Kayla, think a little bigger. We'll be there for over a week and you know how we get. Do you really think you could comfortably have sex with me under the same roof as your cousin?"

Hearing his valid point, I glanced over my shoulder wearing an admitting smile.

"I'll be booking my favorite suite then." He chuckled.

"Fine." I conceded. "But let's pick a specific set of days to reserve it. Danny is really excited to host me and I want to spend as much time with her as I can while we're there."

"I'll just book it for the full stay. It doesn't matter if we don't use it every night. We just need a comfortable option when we want some alone time."

I sighed. "You're so wasteful sometimes, you know that?"

"Nae aein, every penny I spend on you will always be money well spent."

His charming smile directed at me, I blushed as I went back to washing dishes on this bright Thursday morning.

Ho-seok and I were a week into our official relationship, and I still could not believe such an amazing man was my boyfriend now.

Upon returning from our trip to Colorado, he's continued to be the doting boyfriend he assured me he would be.

Even though I had been working back to back days at the hospital, Ho-seok checked in on me frequently and if he didn't order me food ahead of my breaks, he delivered it himself just so he could see me for 30 minutes.

Last night was the first time we had spent the evening together since we returned to Boston, and it felt like a dream receiving his devoted affection in a place that finally felt like home.

We had just finished eating breakfast and since he was in charge of planning the logistics of yet another unexpected trip, I was more than happy to clean up after us this morning.

"Alright." Ho-seok murmured as I wiped down the kitchen counters and stove top. "Our plane reservations to both Thailand and Korea have been arranged, the hotel room is booked, and I'll cover the wedding party expenses for us too. Just let me know the measurements for your bridesmaid dress, and I'll coordinate everything with Danny for you."

"Jesus, I'm so thankful for you! I would've put all this planning off until the last minute."

Ho-seok playfully scoffed. "As if this isn't already last minute."

"True." We chuckled as he closed his laptop and stood up from the island. "I can't believe they are about to make this happen. Planning a destination wedding of this size in a month is crazy! I get why they're bumping it up with Danny starting to show and all, but it's a huge adjustment for the guests and the wedding planner."

"Yeah but it's basically an all inclusive trip for attendees and if you think I'm rich, Min-seok's wealth is on another level. He'll make sure anyone Danny wants at the wedding can get there and Lady Nam is no joke. His mother could have that wedding planned and executed by next week if the bride asked for it."

I nodded given how many stories Danny had already told me about her hilarious soon to be mother-in-law.

Folding the cleaning cloth, I set it to the side while Ho-seok poured his second cup of dripped coffee this morning.

"Hand me your mug." He requested. "There's enough left for the both of us."

I did as told and Ho-seok stole a quick kiss from me in the process.

Now that the kitchen was clean, I stepped into the living area and decided to get comfortable on my new gray square arm sofa.

Setting a black and white plaid blanket over my folded legs, I opened Netflix on the 50-inch flat screen mounted on my wall. I searched for the latest show we had been binging and as I pulled it up on the screen, Ho-seok took his place beside me on the couch.

"Thank you." I chimed, bringing the warm mug to my lips.

I closed my eyes and embraced the rich taste of the coffee beans Ho-seok brought back from Korea over the holidays.

"Looks like I'll need to buy more of those beans for us, soon." He gushed seeing my reaction.

"I don't know. Maybe its actually for the best we run out. You're spoiling me too much and now my palate is changing! Cheap coffee is how us doctors survive 12 hour shifts, and lately it just tastes like dirty water to me!"

Ho-seok laughed with me while he enjoyed the warm caffeine himself. "Just say the word, beautiful. I'll send you to work with a thermos full of dripped coffee every shift."

My cheeks burning, I hid my shy smile behind my mug as I took another sip.

"So what do you have planned for the day?" He asked. "I'm so annoyed I have an exam. It's the first day you're off since we got back to Boston, and I have to go to school."

"That's also probably for the best. You know I love spending time with you, but you've been skipping classes a lot for the past month. Are you even ready for the exam?"

"Wow, you still have no idea who you're dating." He sarcastically gaped. "I'll ace that exam in record time and since you're doubting me, I expect a proper reward when I return tonight."

I giggled seeing his cheeky grin as he rested his hand on my thigh.

"So?" He proceeded. "What are you going to do with so much free time today?"

I shrugged, though I knew exactly what I'd be doing this afternoon.

"Probably nothing." I replied as I set my mug down on the coffee table. "No work and my needy boyfriend will be at school all day? I should use this time to catch up on sleep."

"Aein, did you just call me needy?" He joked, setting his mug down as well.

"Surely, you already knew this about yourself."

Inching closer, Ho-seok grabbed my hips.

"Should this needy boyfriend just drain what energy you have left this morning, then?"

I squealed feeling him pull me towards him, the two of us laughing as our lips clashed.

Placing himself on top of me, Ho-seok and I began making out as yet another perfect morning shared between the two of us continued. However this moment was short lived. Just as things started heating up, Ho-seok's alarm went off.

"Damnit." He sighed, reaching for his phone on the coffee table. "I didn't realize how much time we spent planning this morning. My bad."

"Why are you apologizing? It's fine." I assured as he stood up from the couch.

"I think I can make some time. Want to join me in the shower?"

"Of course! Go ahead and get the water running. I'll join you in a minute."

Delighted, Ho-seok made his way into the bathroom and I watched until he closed the door. I even waited until I heard him turn on the water before I took advantage of this tiny window of opportunity and rushed to my bedroom.

Fastened to the bottom of my desk drawer, I grabbed the phone I used to communicate with AJ and Krystal. When I saw I was still in the clear, I turned it on and found the text confirming my afternoon plans were still a go.

"Aein!" Ho-seok called for me. "Baby I only have 15 minutes, tops!"

"Coming!" I yelled as I responded to Krystal's text.

After I secured the phone along the bottom of the drawer again, I joined Ho-seok in the steam filled bathroom.

I could smell the rich scent of his shampoo and conditioner as I stripped down, and when I stepped inside the shower he had already finished washing his hair.

"Everything, okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I just wanted to check my email real quick. No fires at the hospital yet!"

He scoffed. "You're such a workaholic."

I laughed with the tall man, my arms wrapped around his neck as our noses brushed.

Catching my lips with his, Ho-seok glided his hands down my sides before he lifted me off the ground. I circled my arms around his shoulders when he pinned my back against the cold tile wall, and in a matter of seconds I felt his sensational pressure between my legs.

Despite the guilt I felt lying to Ho-seok, it was overcome by the wave of emotions I always felt when in his strong embrace. Things always started off fun and sexy but as that pleasure built up in my center, a feeling of profound yearning often followed it.

No kiss was ever long enough, no thrust was ever deep enough, and I could never hold him close enough. I always wanted so much more of Ho-seok. Not because he didn't deliver, but because I cherished these intimate moments with him that much. I never wanted them to end yet the wave of happiness that followed was also exhilarating.

Even now as I tidied up random little things around my apartment, I couldn't stop smiling and I could still feel the sensation of every touch he dispersed on me in that shower.

"Shit." Ho-seok mumbled as he stepped outside of my bedroom. His school bag was hanging off his shoulder, and he was frantically searching through it. "I'm running late and I can't find my car keys. Have you seen them?"

Smiling at the law student from behind my kitchen island, I removed the keys from the pocket of my oversized hoodie.

"Just found em' between the couch cushions. They must have slipped out of your pocket when we were watching Demon Slayer last night."

Relieved, Ho-seok accepted the keys from my hold as I offered him a short thermos next.

"I made an iced coffee with what you didn't finish earlier." I continued. "It'd be a shame to let it go to waste, but make sure you drink some water before the exam. You've had a lot of coffee this morning. I don't want you to crash."

"Yes ma'am." He beamed, biting his bottom lip. "I don't think I'll ever get enough of this."

My lips curled, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as he pulled me in for a tight embrace. His long pair circling my waist, Ho-seok buried his face in the crook of my neck.

"Ho-seok, baby you're going to be late."

"Just a little longer." He whispered. "I still can't believe you're finally mine, aein."

I brought my hand to the back of his styled hair, and tenderly combed through it with my fingers. My boyfriend was truly a gentle giant, and I adored it when he clinged to me like this.

"What time do you think you'll be back, tonight?" I asked, our noses brushing when he rested his forehead against mine.

"Probably around 6:00 or 7:00." He answered. "Close your eyes and rest while I'm gone. Chances are, I'll be back by time you wake up and we can just order in. Sound good?"

I nodded, our lips meeting for one last kiss before I escorted Ho-seok to the door.

"Good luck on your exam." I waved.

Ho-seok did the same, and I watched him walk down the narrow hall before I closed the door and it was just me, myself, and I standing in this apartment.

I didn't have much time to dwell on missing him though. Not if I wanted to get to Krystal and AJ by the agreed-upon time.

I got dressed in all black - wearing skinny jeans, a hoodie, and combat boots. After I put on my leather biker jacket I slipped my phones, keys, and a cardholder in its many pockets and made my way out of my apartment next.

Now that Ho-seok frequently spent time with me at my spot, I had to find another place to park my motorcycle. Fortunately, there was a 24 hour parking garage a block away that had a decent monthly fee and a ton of blindspots.

Once I unfastened my special helmet lock, I placed the helmet over my head and got settled on the bike as I roared its engine. I forgot how good it felt to take this badboy out in broad daylight and as I drove down the streets of Boston, I started getting in the zone.

Given how things played out the last mission, I was essentially benched these past few weeks while AJ and Krystal took the lead on gathering all that was needed for this next one.

It appeared that the girls finally found it. The location where Antonio's organization managed its human trafficking business, and possibly where London was held captive and murdered.

I had so many thoughts as I drove to our hideout.

First - Excitement for the upcoming mission. This could really be it. The operation in which I finally avenged London and took down the monster that killed her.

Second - Anxiety about the many unknowns. Why had Antonio been so silent? Was my identity truly still unknown to his organization? Where was Jackson and what was he going to do with the secret he still had not exposed?

Lastly - Guilt for several reasons. I still wasn't sure if I should even tell Krystal and AJ about my new relationship with Ho-seok, and of course I hated lying to him as well. Most surprisingly though, there was a part of me that felt guilty towards London too.

These past few weeks, I hadn't thought too much about the revenge that once consumed me. I was so wrapped up in my relationship with Ho-seok, I was finally living for myself again and my heart felt so full. Even though this was my first time feeling this way about someone, I knew I was falling in love with him, and a future with Ho-seok was becoming my top priority.

"Kayla!" AJ enthused when I walked through the large warehouse doors.

I smiled to her as we stepped into each other's arms for a quick embrace.

"It's been a while, huh?" I replied, making the sweet hacker giggle.

"Yeah, but it was for the best. We think you're in the clear now."

"Really? Why is that?" I asked.

"Antonio ordered a hit." Krystal replied, taking her place beside me next. "I've been tracking him in your steed and it's been quiet but violent. A war started between his organization and a gang called the Central Aces last week.

"Coop, the Aces' leader, tried to take advantage of the unclaimed hit on the warehouse to elevate their status. He started pushing on Antonio's turf and was bold enough to take credit for the fire to scare other Boston gangs."

"On top of that, the Aces often travel by bike." AJ added. "It was the perfect setup for Coop, but his group of biker thugs was no match for an organized gang like Antonio's."

"He made an example of Coop." Krystal said. "Did you see the news out of Central last night?"

I shook my head. "No, what happened?"

"Coop's residence burned down in flames the night before." AJ replied. "His top three were executed right in front of him while he was tied to a chair. Coop was burned alive afterwards and the fire damaged the scene so much, the cops can't find a single trace of the culprits."

"No one is willing to utter a word either." Krystal stated. "Even my informants refuse to give me too much detail about anything because they're scared."

"Antonio certainly shook the streets this week." AJ said. "Bodies of criminals associated with Coop are popping up all across the city. It's safe to say Antonio wiped out the Aces with the snap of a finger, and no one wants to get on the Italians' bad side now."

"Wow, this is crazy." I uttered, and honestly I was growing pretty scared myself. "So what now? Did you guys really find his trafficking business?"

"Yeah, come here." AJ said.

I did as told, and soon we were all looking at images of a huge steel building on the hideout's projection screen.

"Antonio definitely upped the security following the warehouse fire." AJ said. "There are twice as many men surrounding the building, and we'll be traveling uphill now. That puts us at an immediate disadvantage."

"I noticed cameras this time too." Krystal said. "The guards securing this building are way more trained than last time as well. They're even carrying guns and the setup is so professional, I'm convinced this business is being protected by someone high up in the force."

"Okay, wow." I sighed. "So what I'm hearing is, the risks are too great to give this a try?"

The two glanced at each other before I watched AJ walk closer to the projector screen.

"Getting into the building is dangerous but the thing about human trafficking is, you have to move the victims and frequently."

I nodded, already seeing where this was going. "Have you confirmed the routes?"

"You know it." She smirked, clicking to the next image. "We identified two routes so far. They maintain a low profile with one truck at a time and it tends to move in the middle of the night."

"We're still trying to figure out the schedule though." Krystal said. "They move in the middle of the night, but the times haven't been consistent from what we have seen so far. That's the main downfall. It'll be hard to plan an attack if there's no pattern."

"What's the destination once the trucks leave the main building?"

'We don't know, that's the other downfall." AJ said, clicking to an external image of a tunnel. "Both routes lead to this tunnel but when the trucks enter it, they don't exit. There is likely a secret passageway in there, but we haven't been able to get close enough to confirm. The tunnel is also guarded with armed men, so the window of opportunity is going to be small. It's about three miles from the main building."

"So even if we were able to jack one of the trucks, we wouldn't have a clear escape route?"

They nodded, and I couldn't help but sigh as I leaned against the table and folded my arms.

"The unknowns and risks seem too great for a mission that would make minimal impact if I'm being honest. Even if we pulled this off, it wouldn't change anything. We'd save a few lives, but the business would continue.

"Not to mention, this would put us back on Antonio's radar. And that's assuming we're really off of it. He'd go right back on the hunt, trying to identify us again. If we're going to resurface like this, it has to be with the intent of putting him behind bars for good."

"I agree, that's why we need to find out where those trucks are going." Krystal replied. "Like I said earlier, someone high in the force is helping Antonio. We need to hand over undeniable evidence if we're going to bring him down. We need the coordinates of the drop off location."

"Then maybe it's not about jacking the truck. We just need to get on it." AJ said.

"Exactly." Krystal agreed. "AJ and I will continue monitoring the building. Hopefully, we can identify a pattern in which they move, and we can plan from there. What do you think Kayla?"

I bit my lip, and for the first time I was weary of moving forward with such a dangerous mission.

"You know we'll clean this plan up before we move in, Kayla." AJ assured.

"Plus, you're not going in alone." Krystal said. "I'll be with you, and unlike last time we won't separate for even a second."

I nodded, despite how uneasy I was feeling. "Okay, as long as we come up with a solid plan, I'm willing to see it through. But I'm serious, it has to be airtight. With every move we make, Antonio is growing more anxious - which is making him even more ruthless."

"I agree." AJ said. "Let's aim to make this the last mission then."

Aligned, we all silently accepted the reality of this operation. It truly needed to be the last one, and if it failed there would be a much more dangerous war ahead.

"Have you heard from Jackson?" Krystal asked, and she sighed when I shook my head. "Okay, let me know as soon as you do. He's such a wildcard, and it's making me uncomfortable."

"Yes ma'am." I replied, and since we agreed this upcoming mission would be the last one, I didn't feel the need to make them aware of my new relationship with Ho-seok.

As I headed towards the warehouse exit, I increasingly grew uneasy about the danger ahead of us. It was hard to believe how fearless I was just weeks ago, setting a whole drug lab on fire. Now, my heart was racing simply thinking about the evolving plan I just agreed to.

"Check your phone a week from now." Krystal instructed me. "We'll send you an update if we learn anything new, and reach out to us if a strong plan comes to mind."

"Okay, will do."

Waving goodbye to the girls, I stepped outside of the hideout and began mounting my bike when I heard AJ call for me.

"What's up?" I asked as she stepped beside me.

"About Jackson. Have you really not heard from him?"

I shook my head. "No, I haven't. Why?"

"I got a signal. He turned his phone on last night." She replied, making my eyes widen. "I tracked his location too. He's back in Boston."

"Are you sure?" I asked, pulling my phone out of my jacket pocket.

"Girl, tracking a perfectly legal device is child's play for me." AJ cackled.

I opened the thread of texts between Jackson and I and after nearly eight weeks, all the messages I had sent him were finally delivered.

"I haven't told Krystal yet." AJ said. "I thought you might want to iron things out with your man before she gets wind. You know how she can be when it comes to protecting us and the work we're doing. Talk to him before she gets involved."

I nodded. "I will, thanks AJ."

Smiling to me, AJ patted my shoulder before she headed back into the hideout.

I on the other hand stared at my phone screen, drowning in guilt and anxiety.

I started typing message after message to Jackson, but I couldn't figure out where to even start. Not to mention, I had sent well over 10 texts that I knew he had seen by now. So why hadn't he responded to any of them yet?

I sighed, feeling a knot form in the pit of my stomach when an incoming text from one of my fellow residents suddenly came through.

He was sick, and in desperate need of coverage for the rest of his shift.

"Perfect." I whispered to myself. "I'll give Jackson until the end of the shift to respond. That'll give me time to think through what to say too."

Fully decided, I put my phone away and prepared to pick up the random shift at the hospital.

Traffic was light and I got back to my apartment within 30 minutes. After I changed into my scrubs, I made the 10 minute walk to the hospital.

I texted Ho-seok on the way, letting him know I picked up a day shift but I chose to hold off on telling him about Jackson.

Ho-seok was the jealous type and I knew he wouldn't take well to learning of Jackson's return over text. Plus, I didn't know when his exam started either and this news would distract him.

"Hey Kayla!" Cindy, one of my colleagues, chimed. "I thought you were off today."

"I'm filling in for Matt." I replied, smiling to the resident as I walked past her. "I'll see you on the floor soon!"

She nodded as I entered the residents office, where I found Madison sitting at her desk.

"Hey!" She beamed. "I'm sorry you lost your day off, but I'm also so happy you're the one filling in for Matt. We have a lot of operations scheduled today."

"Yeah, I saw that before I went home last night." I replied. "Should be a fun day, I guess?"

Madison laughed with me as I set my bag on the desk beside hers, and as I started getting organized for the day I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

A relieved sigh spilled past my lips when I saw it was a response from Ho-seok, though it was a dramatic text with over a dozen heartbroken emojis.

"Paul?" Madison asked.

I shifted my gaze towards her, and realized my boyfriend had effortlessly made me smile again.

"Yeah, he's not happy I accepted today's shift but it's for the best. Since I'm taking so much leave next month, I need to pick up as many shifts as I can."

"I'm so jealous! You're going to have so much fun in Asia and I can't believe you two are about to go on your second baecation already! Johnny and I haven't even had one yet."

"That's because you're both obsessed with your jobs." I teased, and she couldn't deny that.

We were cracking up as I secured my braids in a low ponytail.

"You ready to get to work?" She asked. "Come with me on my rounds. There's a case I could use your help on."

"Okay, one sec!" I went to the hook holding my white coat and slipped it on. "I have something I need to talk through with you, by the way."

"Oh is it proper tea?" She joked, but she had no idea.

"It's Ja-..." I paused, my brows furrowed as I tried to process a muffled banging noise on the other side of the office door and the windows that lined the top of its surrounding wall.

"Did you hear that too?" Madison asked.

As she walked towards the door, I heard people screaming by time I realized what the loud and continuous noise was.

"Madison, no!" I yelled.

As she grabbed the doorknob, I sprinted and pulled her down to the ground with me just in time.

Glass from the windows above us shattered as stray bullets pierced through them effortlessly.

I covered Madison and protected myself as best I could.

My eyes sealed shut, all I could hear were the pleads of unlucky victims in the hallway, as well as the terrifying clicks and banging of the automatic guns being aimlessly fired.

Hearing Madison scream, I quickly covered lips as the emergency alarm started ringing - it's red light flashing in the back corner of the office.

"This is not a drill." A woman announced through the building's PA system. "Evacuate to the nearest exit or take cover. There is an active shooter on the premises. I repeat, there is an active shooter on the premises." 

____

Author's Note: Hello! I know, I know! A very busy update indeed! How did you enjoy it?

As you can see, a lot is unfolding fast now that Kayla and Ho-seok have returned to Boston! Do you think Kayla is really in the clear when it comes to Antonio? How do you think Ho-seok will handle the news of Jackson's return, and what will it mean for the couple? 

Last but certainly not least, you see how much Makayla is already changing now that she sees a future for herself with Ho-seok! Will her reckless bravery resurface now that she's been cornered in such a dangerous situation at the hospital?

Thank you all for your patience, and I am sorry I was not able to publish the update yesterday! I was unwell and needed to rest! Hopefully, this was a nice surprise to start your week! 

Please remember to vote and comment! Thanks for your support!

- Zelene